Another New FAA Type Certificate — For Symphony 160

The FAA is never quick to hand out Type Certificates, but there seem to be a lot of them coming along lately. Newest on the list of good-to-go GA aircraft is the two-seater Symphony 160, built by Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) of Three Rivers, Quebec. “Receiving the Symphony 160’s FAA type certificate is a significant milestone,” said SAI President Paul Costanzo. “The U.S. market is of great importance for Symphony Aircraft Industries. With the FAA Type Certificate in hand there are no more obstacles, and American pilots can start taking delivery of their new U.S.-registered SA 160.” The 160 got its Canadian type and production certificates in mid-March and is also certified in Europe. The FAA TC will facilitate the delivery of these aircraft through American Symphony’s dealer network. The 160 will sell for around $150,000 IFR-equipped with steam gauges (and a Garmin radio package). In the opinion of one AVweb staffer who flew it, the 160 is basically a wider, much better-looking Cessna 172 that doesn’t pretend it has four seats.